The Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe and the Washington state Department of Commerce recently signed a historic memorandum of understanding (MOU) establishing government-to-government relations between the Tribe and the agency, according to a recent news release from the Department of Commerce.
The agreement removes administrative barriers, improves communications, implements culturally-appropriate data privacy and security measures and more, the release stated. Shoalwater Bay Chairman Quintin Swanson and Commerce Director Joe Nguyễn signed the agreement June 23.
"This MOU represents more than a formal agreement — it’s a gesture of trust and a reaffirmation of our sovereignty, our partnership, and our shared responsibility to uplift our people,” Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribal Chairman Quintin Swanson said. “By solidifying our partnership through this MOU, it will only strengthen communication and allow more focus on solutions rooted in tribal values and priorities. We appreciate Commerce’s commitment to working with us government-to-government, and we look forward to what this collaboration will bring for our community.”
The MOU with Shoalwater Bay is the seventh such agreement the Department of Commerce has made with tribal governments. The department anticipates similar agreements with other tribes in Washington in the coming year, the release read.
“Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe has cared for their people and their surroundings for many generations,” Nguyễn said. “We are glad to strengthen our partnership, to memorialize the ways we can better honor their sovereignty, and to work alongside people who have cared for community from time immemorial. We look forward to building a strong government-to-government relationship through this agreement.”
For more information about the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe, visit www.shoalwaterbay-nsn.gov/.
To learn more and follow the state Department of Commerce’s work with tribal communities in Washington, visit the Office of Tribal Relations webpage at www.commerce.wa.gov/tribal-relations/.
